Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/866061
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017 21 exercise and the environmental experience. ose rusty stations of old are being re-created along bike paths; Zumba and yoga classes are held on park lawns; boot camp exercises such as push-ups, dips, and burpees have been integrated into running routines to boost performance. One of my favorite fitness magazines even suggested looping a TRX strap around a sturdy tree branch to get a total-body workout in the shade. We now know that workouts can happen anywhere there is space beneath your feet—as long as you're not afraid to get your hands dirty! Plan your circuit I'm not suggesting you stop working out indoors, by the way. e WAC offers the best fitness equipment available, and the science behind many of our machines can't be replicated just anywhere. What I'm saying is that mixing things up will help you avoid boredom and stay committed. Also, fresh air can offer more-efficient oxygen exchange, yielding endurance and strength benefits. ere are several good outdoor fitness options within walking—or running—distance of the WAC. Freeway Park, Centennial Park, Olympic Sculpture Park, Myrtle Edwards Park, and waterfront-access stairways at the end of Union and University streets all offer great options. Our personal trainers can help map out a circuit that's right for you. For a cardio emphasis, try a routine that focuses on your big muscles and build in speed for intensity. Intervals that include lateral bounds, mountain-climbers, and plyometric squats work nicely. Strength-focused routines can be programmed with lightweight exercise tubing to add variety. Just wrap the tubing around your waist or put it in a small backpack when you're walking or running. Classic moves such as push-ups, dips and planks work well for shoulders, chest and triceps. e tubing comes in handy for rowing and bicep work to round out the session. Kids and parents can have fun, too. Monkey bars are great for pull-ups, slides can be a nice step for jumps or lunges, and fire poles are great anchors for rowing exercises. Some popular and well-equipped parks include Jefferson Park and Magnuson Park in Seattle and Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island. Whatever you choose to do outside, go prepared for the changing weather, stay hydrated, and have fun! —Maureen Eggers can be reached at 206.839.4785 or meggers@wac.net. living fit outdoor exercise / wellness 360 retreat wac.net/wellness-360-retreat Find your center at our new wellness retreat Escape to a weekend of health and relaxation with a new offering from Wellness 360. Join an intimate group of WAC members for two nights at Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan. We'll meet at the Club and travel east to experience yoga, nutrition, and meditation in an immer- sive environment led by WAC Nutritionist Eric Chen, an endurance runner, Olympic-style weightlier, and expert on healthy eating. Your weekend on the lake, Friday–Sunday, September 22–24, includes round-trip transportation, two nights in a water-view room, two waterfront yoga sessions, $100 resort gi card, a guided hike at Echo Ridge, a nutrition crash course, and guided meditation. We're also giving you ample time to paddle the crystal-clear waters of the lake, enjoy spa treatments at Campbell's Resort, explore the countryside, and indulge in the nearby wine country. Come back renewed, refreshed, and ready to take on the new season.